Our Team

﻿Our team is in the form of Bishops who are anointed servant leaders. The Bishops of the United Christian Communion maintain a tenacious and slavish commitment to Jesus Christ and places high value on integrity, Christian character, and accountability. These servants of God are committed to Christ, the preservation of His bride and the advancement of His Kingdom.﻿

Bishop J.A. Ross, Th.D., PRESIDING PRELATEBishop Ross is the visionary leader of the United Christian Communion, where he serves as Presiding Bishop. He advocates faithful and anointed Bible teaching along with interaction with the Holy Spirit that results in a powerful demonstration of the Kingdom of God in the life of the believer. His grace is the author of “The Spirit of the Kingdom: A Biblical & Theological Pneumatology;” (available @ thebookpatch.com). He has also authored a handbook, “The Formation Doctrines and Discipline of the United Christian Communion,” and a training manual for the office of Bishop in the U.C.C. entitled, “Handbook on the Episcopacy”. Bishop Ross serves as President and Instructor in Bible and Theology at Saint James Convergence School of Ministry. Bishop Ross counts it as a great joy to serve the Church of his Lord Jesus Christ, but his greatest joy is being the husband of his wife LaTonya and father to their five children. James and LaTonya reside in the Los Angeles area.

ACADEMIC & MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Theology

​ Southern California School of Ministry

Master of Arts

Hope International University

Master of Religious Education

Liberty University

Master of Theology

Liberty University

Doctor of Theology

Andersonville Theological Seminary ﻿﻿﻿

Bishop Earl E. Norwood, S.T.M.,Assistant Presiding Bishop

Bishop Earl E. Norwood is a native of Los Angeles, California; he is the youngest of 5 children, born to Earl & Mary Norwood. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the tender age of 4 years old. He knew there was a calling on his life to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at the early age of 8. As a youth he served under the Pastoral leadership of Dr. William Larue Dillard, Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Monrovia, California. He received many certificates under the tutelage of Dr. Dillard for biblical studies. He responded to the Lord’s called in August of 1997 to serve as the Assistant Pastor under the Pastoral leadership of the Reverend Paul S. Munford, establishmentarian and Senior Pastor of the New Joy Baptist Church Riverside, California. He also served on the board of the Riverside Clergy Association, and as President of the Val Verde School Counsel.Bishop Norwood was led by the Holy Spirit to prepare himself for Kingdom service through theological preparation and leadership training; he has earned a Master of Sacred Theology from St James Convergence School of Ministry. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of the Independent Church of Lake Elsinore, California. For the past 12 years he has been teaching the Independent Church family the importance of loving God and serving Him whole heartily. He is passionate about winning souls for Christ, and building believers to change lives. Bishop Norwood is greatly fulfilled through his relationship with his wife Cheryl L. Norwood, they have been honey mooning for the past 16 years, and he enjoys the life of their daughter Breanna M. Brazier (BreBre).

Bishop James Ray Taylor, M.R.E., S.T.M.,General Episcopal SecretaryLicensed at the age of 9, ordained at the age of 16 and installed to the pastorate at 18, Bishop James Ray Taylor was born for ministry. Now with over a decade of multi-context pastoral leadership to his credit, James is poised to take this next kingdom step. Under the tutelage of the late, Reverend Dr. Joseph Lee, Jr, Bishop Taylor has developed a great love for the church and her preservation. Through the achievement of a Bachelors of Theology, a Masters of Religious Education, and a Master of Sacred Theology, Bishop Taylor has been tooled with the necessary resources to see to the church’s progression. Bishop Taylor has authored two books for the edifying of the saint; "21 Days of Strengthening" and "Maturely Me." Having led multiple congregations through leadership transitions and laity/leadership discord, James has gained the experience to defend the church and lead her towards unity. With the help of his wife, the lovely Lady Karen Taylor, this couple sets a holy and holistic example of balanced Christian family life. By the grace of God James and Karen are rearing their family with grace while raising up a people to the glory of God.

Bishop Kendall Davis, Th.B., D.D.,General Episcopal TreasurerBishopDavis gave his life to the lordship of Christ March 29th, 1998 and immediately commenced on a life of service to the Christian community. After a year of instruction he began working behind the scenes in ministry. Feeling the call to train for ministry in 2000 he enrolled in Southern California School of Ministry where he earned a Bachelor of Theology, and began teaching classes in the local church. He began preaching in 2002 and was ordained to the ministry in 2003. Through formal education, personal study and private instruction God has continued to disciple Bishop Davis. His grace has been awarded a Doctor of Divinity by St James School of Ministry for his ongoing scholarship in Christian Apologetics and the authorship of three books. Breaking the stereotypical model of church by providing for individualistic expression, a biblical accountability model and a foundation for reexamination of both traditional and liturgical worship styles, Bishop Davis is bringing forth classical Christianity with a contemporary flair. His mission is that “Through the Spirit of God we cross bridges that bring spiritual empowerment, educational development and socio-economic stability in the lives of believers”. Using innovation through biblical revelation, Bishop Davis seeks to guide the church of today into becoming the church of Tomorrow. He is the proud father of 6 and has served the Body of Christ as Senior Pastor of Crossing Ministries since May of 2007 with his wife Pastor Makisha Davis along his side.

Bishop Dean Benta, M.A., S.T.M.﻿,International LiaisonsBishop Dean Benta is from the small tourist island of Antigua & Barbuda.He was converted at the age of 14.He became a youth leader in his local church at age 16. This man of God began full-time ministry when he was 19, working as a youth counselor and working with delinquent youths on the streets of St. John’s, capital of Antigua & Barbuda. Bishop Benta began the pursuit of his theological education in 1977 when he sensed the call to enter full-time pastoral ministry with the Wesleyan Holiness Church.He graduated in 1981 and began his first pastorate at a church in Freetown, Antigua.Later, he was transferred to the Ottos Wesleyan Church, also in Antigua.Bishop Benta migrated to the US Virgin Islands in 1985, where he pastored for 15 years. In 2000, God led Bishop Benta to relocate to Decatur, Georgia, where he founded a ministry, Wisdom Ministry Center, a church organized to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and to model the kingdom life-style. Bishop Benta holds a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, a Master of Sacred Theology from St James Convergence School of Ministry, and he is also a candidate for PhD in Theological Studies (at Trinity College of the Bible).He has been married to his wife, Goldine, for 33 years; she is an elementary school teacher.They have four adult children and one grand-daughter.

Bishop James Albert Taylor, Sr., S.T.M.,Patriarch EmeritusBishop James Albert Taylor, Sr. was born and raised in Augusta, Arkansas. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the tender age of 8. While a soldier in the United States Army, he responded to the Lord’s call to preach the Gospel in 1967 and was licensed as a Minister in Darmstadt West Germany. His grace was later ordained in 1970 under the ministry of Rev. J.M. Erving at Shining Star Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. He served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Clarence Kelly in Vine grove Kentucky at Vine Grove Baptist Church. His grace organized Carver Missionary Baptist Church in March 1973 in the city of Chicago. After 10 years of ministry his grace was led to Los Angeles, California where he served at Moments of Meditations Baptist Church under the leadership of the late great Reverend James Ewell. In 1986 his grace was called as Senior Pastor of Golgotha Missionary Baptist Church, which name was later changed to Family of God Community Church.After recovering from a major health challenge, his grace was called to Freedom Missionary Baptist Church (now New Freedom Christian Community) where he now serves as Pastor Emeritus. His grace has served the Lord in ministry for over 45 years as a Minister, Pastor, and now a Bishop lending his many years of wisdom to the next generation of Pastors. Bishop Taylor has studied at Moody Bible Institute and he has earned a Master of Sacred Theology from St James Convergence School of Ministry. His grace continues to serve the Lord faithfully along with his wife, Minister Marsha Taylor. Bishop Taylor has 8 children, 17 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild; his also grace has two sons who are Pastors, and many sons and daughters in the ministry.

Bishop Lovester Adams Sr., after serving in the Lord’s Church under the tutelage of theReverend Dr. Lloyd T. Johnson for more than 42 years in various capacities, was called andchosen to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in 2003. Three months later after preaching histhird gospel message his Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd T. Johnson licensed him. In August of 2005Bishop Adams was ordained to the gospel by the same hands. During his time of accepting thecall to do the work of the Lord, Bishop Adams continued to further his biblical studies byattending Bethany Bible, Seminary College in the city of Los Angeles.In February of 2007 the Lord elevated then Rev. Adams to the positioned of pastorate and wasinstalled as the Senior Pastor of the Greater New St Matthew M.B.C. He has served as the ViceModerator and Moderator of the Southern Missionary Baptist Educational Association (SMBEA).Rev. Adams has also served as the Recording Secretary for the California Missionary BaptistState Convention under the leadership of Dr. E. Wayne Gaddis Sr., President.Bishop Adams is one who holds firm to the virtues of accountability, faithfulness, integrity andgood Christian character. The love that God has placed in his heart for the people of God andHis Church has afforded him resources to constantly see the Church’s progression in kingdombuilding. Having led the Church through leadership transition and laity/leadership discord,Lovester has gained the experience to defend the Church in unity which is necessary within thebody of Christ.Having completed courses on the episcopacy through the UCC, and the Joint College if Afro-American Pentecostal Bishops, Rev. Adam’s Episcopal apology has come from his study of“The Formation Doctrines & Disciplines” by Dr.J.A. Ross, Presiding Prelate of the UCC.In the year of our Lord 2016, by the grace of God, Pastor Adams was consecrated to the office of Bishop in the United Christian Communion. Bishop Adams has received his STB in Sacred Theology from the St James Convergence School of Ministry, will continue his education with the St James Convergence School ofMinistry. He is the husband of Rolietta Adams, father of four children, and grand-parents of two.Bishop Adams constantly strive to live and be the examples which Christ has called him to be.​

Bishop Hampton L. Finney is a native of Richmond, Virginia and is the third of five children born to Essex and Corine Finney. He gave his life to the Lord at the age of 12 and immediately immersed himself into practically every youth activity available, serving as an usher, choir member and then later as a Jr. deacon.A short time after moving to Los Angeles, California in 1974, Bishop Finney began the pursuit of his theological education while serving as a deacon and choir director at 1st Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church and later the same at Holy Revival Missionary Church. He has studied at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia and Patton Bible College in Oakland, California. He received degrees from Coastline College, Calvary Christian College and Seminary, PMI Center for Biblical Studies, Calvary Chapel School of Ministry in Costa Mesa, California and received his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from St. James Convergence School of Ministry in Los Angeles, California.It was after a series of life changing events in 1984, when he sensed the call to enter full-time pastoral ministry. Bishop Finney is the founder and Lead Pastor of Divine Harvest Ministries U.S.A. & Worldwide, with churches in the U.S.A., Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, France and on the Island of Saint Martin, FWI.Bishop Finney believes in preaching and teaching the word of God the way God intended for it to be transmitted to His people, and just as importantly, he believes that we must "live" the word. Bishop Finney is a no nonsense; tell it like it is preacher. He is a husband, teacher, conference speaker, musician, song-writer, role model and mentor. He is the proud father of 5 girls and 3 boys and has been married to his wife Etta Finney for 39 years.